Generations Quote by Elizabeth Kolbert
“There's this idea of shifting baselines. It was coined by a guy named Jeremy Jackson. It's the idea that every generation takes what it sees, and says, "Okay, well, that's the norm."”
About This Quote
Each generation normalizes the environmental conditions they inherit, shifting perceptions of what is acceptable or normal.
In simple terms: Generations accept worsening conditions as normal.
Question what’s truly normal.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- public awareness
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we reset our environmental expectations?
- What role does media play in shifting baselines?
Changing baselines can mask degradation.